Two-thirds of U.S. census testing sites eliminated

The Trump administration is eliminating four out of six planned locations for a 2030 census practice test. The test, which began Monday, will now take place only in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Commerce Department, which oversees the Census Bureau, announced the change in a notice. The bureau didn’t explain why it reduced the number of sites. Several of the six sites initially chosen represented communities that traditionally have been hard to count, such as Native American communities. One population researcher said the change would potentially hurt certain places that need testing most, such as tribal lands and rural areas.

Preliminary results show conservative populist Fernández winning Costa Rican presidency

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Laura Fernández has won Costa Rica’s presidency, continuing the political shift started by outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves. Preliminary results show she secured a first-round victory with 48.3% of the vote, eliminating the need for a runoff. Her closest rival, Álvaro Ramos, received 33.4% and conceded Sunday night. Fernández, a conservative populist, promises deep and irreversible change to enhance democratic institutions and prosperity. She previously served as a minister in Chaves’ government and was his favored successor. Costa Ricans also voted for the National Assembly, with Chaves’ party expected to gain seats but not a supermajority.

Syrian forces granted entry to key city

AL-HASSAKEH, Syria (AP) — A small contingent of security forces with Syria’s interior ministry has entered the city of al-Hassakeh. The move on Monday is part of a deal between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that was announced Friday. The agreement aims to stabilize a ceasefire and integrate the SDF into the army and police. The security forces will secure state-affiliated institutions such as the civil registry, passport offices and the airport. A court in Iraq has begun investigating 1,387 accused Islamic State group members transferred from Syria. Around 7,000 IS militants are set to be transferred for trial.

Latin American industries threatened by deluge of cheap exports

HONG KONG (AP) — China is flooding Latin American markets with low-priced exports, especially autos and e-commerce goods. The surge in imports is a significant challenge for local manufacturers and some countries are fighting back to protect their own industries. Chinese e-commerce platforms like Temu and Shein are rapidly expanding sales in the region, offering cheaper alternatives to local products. Chinese car brands are also making inroads in Brazil and Mexico. But the influx of made-in-China consumer goods as Chinese companies reduce their reliance on trade with the U.S. under President Donald Trump’s higher tariffs has rankled countries trying to build their own globally competitive industries.

Man convicted in “au pair affair”

FAIRFAX, Va. — A Virginia man who was having an affair with the family’s Brazilian au pair has been found guilty of murdering his wife and another man lured to the house as a fall guy. Brendan Banfield told police he came across Joseph Ryan attacking his wife with a knife on Feb. 24, 2023. The then-IRS law enforcement officer shot Ryan. Juliana Magalhães, the au pair, shot him, too. But prosecutors say the pair had actually lured Ryan to the house to pin Christine Banfield’s murder on him. The jury deliberated for nearly nine hours before reaching a verdict on Monday.